Peter Obi: 36 Governors Don't Determine Election Outcomes

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate from the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), asserted in an interview that the presence of 36 governors in Nigeria does not significantly influence electoral outcomes. He argued that historical electoral performances demonstrate that support from state governors does not guarantee success in elections.

Obi noted that in previous elections, he managed to win 12 states without the backing of a single governor, claiming that two of those victories were achieved despite alleged electoral rigging. He emphasized that the importance of governors in campaigns is overstated, stating, "it doesn’t matter whether 36 governors support a presidential candidate." Obi's comments come in the context of the upcoming 2027 elections, where he seeks to challenge the status quo.

He also referenced the Supreme Court's judgment regarding the status of states, indicating that the political landscape is complex and not solely dependent on gubernatorial endorsements.